1. Why"crystal ball"?? what does the name mean for you??

Well, I think this is a cool name with alot of opportunities for cover artworks, songs and when you see a crystal ball then you think automaticly at the band!

2.You have been quite active this summer. How was the "summer breeze"??

Ok, it was a very big festival but we had other highlights in our career. You know, I actually hate big festivals like this, because all is stressy, no soundcheck, and just a very short gig... So I prefere tour shows like we did with Dokken because there are fans they like our music and for Summer Breeze we may were to melodic...!? But the organisation was just amazing and I liked it to pose and sing on this big stage in front of this fantastic fans!

3.you will tour extensively this fall, both with Doro and aso with UDO> How does it feel to know you will tour with these legends of heavy metal??

I would say a dream come true! Especially UDO was always in my cd-player when I was a kid (esp. Accept) and with Doro I felt immediately in love when I saw her the first time :o) Both are legends and I look forward to support them!

4.How did the metal scene evolved in your opinion since 1995, when you started Crystal Ball??

We started at a very bad time, grunge and crossover was hipe and we were first just a cover band and played all our 80ties heros like Jovi, Metallica, Dokken, Europe, Queensr˙che, Kiss, Pell, PC69 and other cool bands. But it was fun and then the scene later turned into real rock and this was our chance to do our own thing! Now it's quite good and a lot of young people like our music.

5.what are your personal background and influences?What makes mark Sweeney tick??

As I already mentioned I like the sound of the 80ties. But I like bands like Stratovarius which play this 80ties style but with the power of today. As a singer I like Jeff Scott Soto or Johnny Gioeli. Micheal Sweet is a great singer too or remember at the singer of Steelheart, Michael Matijevic!!!

6.what musicians do you admire most?Who would you like to tour with next??

Well, one of my favorite singers I mentioned above or a very big, big rockband like Aerosmith, Bon Jovi or Metallica! AC/DC would be cool too....

7.as a vocal, who are the voices in metal that you most admire??why??

look question 6 please!

8.Are you already planning for the next album??

Yes, we write already new songs because we will enter the studios in april again! We have still good ideas and beware of the new album!

9. how do you see the metal of the new millenium??

Ok, we're underground but we have the best and truest fans of the world! Metal will never die, this ain't just a bad saying....it's true! I hope the kids return to handmade music and enjoy bands like Crystal Ball!